A primary focus of the New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB) is to help ensure that the items New Yorkers purchase and use on a daily basis are safe and will not, through a defect, cause harm to themselves or their families. Further, with most home hazards avoidable and fixable, the Agency encourages consumers to remain vigilant about their family and household safety by offering educational resources and guidance. The CPB's family safety resources have garnered international acclaim with publication in a family-oriented magazine in Uruguay and the distribution of the Agency's toy safety coloring book and Internet safety resources by the Walsall Council of the United Kingdom.
Safe Babies and Booster Seats
Throughout the year, the CPB promoted its safe baby resources to various communities, including the upstate Latino community, by partnering with Centro Civico of Amsterdam. Further, hundreds of Spanish-speaking parents of babies born at Harlem Hospital were given the CPB's "Formula for Keeping Babies Safe" kit. Parents and staff at New York Foundling in the South Bronx were informed about child and household safety by attending presentations by the CPB and receiving associated Agency materials. Additionally, the Community Action Angels of Wyoming County distributed the CPB's baby safety publications to migrant farmers and Community Cradle presented the information to underserved and impoverished young parents.
The CPB continued its efforts to assist the domestic violence advocacy and provider community by working with Sanctuary for Families to distribute the CPB toy safety coloring and information book to children in their programs.
In an effort to get the word out, the CPB's Chairperson and Executive Director Mindy Bockstein joined with Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner David Swarts in announcing the new child passenger safety law that took effect on November 24, 2009. To highlight changes in the New York State law regarding booster seats (the age for children who must use booster seats was raised from 7 years old to 8 years old), the CPB created a publication outlining the changes in the law and providing practical tips on what to look for when selecting a child safety seat. These tips include checking with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) for recall updates, verifying expiration dates on child seats and booster seats, and registering the seats with the manufacturer. This resource was distributed at outreach events and electronically to youth and family-related organizations, and was posted on the Agency's website.
Seasonal Safety
The CPB makes a concentrated effort to advise consumers about key safety issues that arise throughout the year.
As the state designee of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the CPB worked to educate and raise awareness about the drain entrapment prevention requirements under the newly enacted federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. CPB articles about this measure, and the federal and State playground safety rules, were featured in publications issued by the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association, New York State Conference of School Superintendents, Safe Kids New York, and others. Additionally, the CPB's pool and swimming safety tips were transmitted electronically to hundreds of youth-oriented groups and to faith-based leaders including Victory Christian Church in Albany to reach children and families in underserved areas taking advantage of municipal pools.
Back-to-School
In August, the CPB created resources to highlight specific consumer product issues associated with back-to-school purchases. One of the topics covered was children's art supplies, as there are specific federal requirements regarding labeling and age appropriateness that must be taken into consideration when purchasing these items. This resource also focused on garments with drawstrings by explaining the provisions of the State's safety law and providing tips for purchasing clothing items with drawstrings at the neck and waist. This resource was distributed at community fairs and was published online, and was further disseminated through the CPB's collaboration with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the NYS Library Association, and Safe Kids New York.
The CPB's consumer product campaign for Halloween included tips for adults and children to make trick-or-treating safe and enjoyable. The focus of this year's campaign was costume safety, especially the risks associated with baggy clothing and masks that limit visibility. The campaign also touched upon precautions to be used with candles, and the importance of inspecting candy after trick-or-treating.
Winter Holiday Decorations
The CPB's resource encouraging safe holiday decorating was the basis for an article in the Association of Towns magazine, as well as for outreach to media.
Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors
In 2009, a New York State law was enacted requiring carbon monoxide detectors in most domiciles. To highlight this new requirement, the CPB engaged in a public awareness campaign that included new literature regarding the dangers of carbon monoxide, details of the new building code requirements, and general tips about the maintenance and performance of carbon monoxide detectors. In association with this campaign, the CPB created smoke detector literature outlining the proper use and maintenance of these important home safety devices. These materials were deployed to various entities, posted on the Agency's website, and served as the basis for media interviews.
Kidsumer
The CPB created and electronically transmitted to hundreds of youth organizations a new childrens' publication featuring lessons in the importance of recycling, reusing, and reducing. This message was bolstered by games and other activities for educators and youth groups. This publication appeared on the Albany Times Union Education webpage.